Burnout Assessment Tool: a reliability generalisation meta-analysis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to conduct a reliability generalisation meta-analysis (RGMA) for the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT) on its original and shortened versions based on Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega. A systematic search was carried out on six databases, where 56 articles were included in the analyses. Results based on random-effects models show good pooled internal consistency indices for the BAT and its subscales on both its original (α =.798–.948; ω =.754–.940) and shortened versions (α =.763–.907; ω =.750–.909), while showing high heterogeneity overall (pQ ≤.004; I2 ≥ 77.59%). Sources of variability were examined through influence diagnostics and meta-regression analysis. Our findings confirm that the BAT is a highly reliable tool for the assessment of burnout across different populations and settings. These results demonstrate that this measure shows better reliability indices when compared to the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Methodological and practical implications for the assessment and diagnosis of burnout in the organisational context are discussed.